ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico was the scene. I was sixteen and Billy Graham was coming to the University’s “Pit!” The place where the UNM Lobos play basketball. My parents allowed me to drive to Albuquerque with a friend to attend two nights of the crusade. Dr. Graham has been one of my heroes ever since I became aware of him. He preached in a way I could relate to. He made sense. I’d seen him numerous times on TV and now, I wanted to see him in person.

I remember sitting in the arena, just far enough from the stage that we couldn’t clearly make out the faces of the people who were coming and going. Every once in a while, a small group of men would emerge from the tunnel and make their way to the stage. Each time, I would strain, trying to see if Dr. Graham was among them. A couple of times, we thought we saw him. But each time, it turned out to be one more of a litany of dignitaries that had been allowed to sit on the stage.

Finally, after what seemed to me to be way too long, something dramatic happened. It started out innocuous enough. Another group of men emerged and separated themselves by forming a type of walking circle from two very tall looking men in the center of the circle. One had jet black hair and the other was white headed. Even before the lights went dim and a spotlight illuminated them, I recognized these two men as Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. I tried to contain my excitement because I knew what would happen next. Sure enough as someone at the pulpit said, “please welcome . . . “ I could see another group just like the one in the spot light. But this one was make it’s way in the pseudo darkness, but with the swirling lights fit for a rock band, occasionally one would cross the second group and the two men in the middle. Both men were tall. One was wearing a black suit with a black shirt and had a full, teased back head of hair. The other, no less distinguished was Billy Graham. I was already on my feet waiting for them to introduce Billy and the man in black–Johnny Cash.

You’ve probably been in a similar situation. Excited anticipation of someone or something coming your way. And at least in my case with Billy Graham, the anticipation was rewarded by the way he entered. With a security entourage in tow, Billy Graham and the other three mentioned, all entered with a certain swagger. No hesitation. No doubt of where they were headed. They entered with purpose.

Jesus did that when He went to Samaria. He did it in most of the things that He did. And He did it again when led the parade into Jerusalem for the most memorable coronation ceremony in history:

35They brought [the donkey colt] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.  37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

–Luke 19:35-40, NIV ‘84

• Jesus came to establish a “love relationship” with us.

When we actively express our love toward someone, and we are really sold out about expressing that love, it is said that we are “worshiping that person.”  The crowd was “worshiping” Jesus by expressing their love and adoration to Him.

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

–Jesus, (John 17:3, NIV ‘84)

• We were told the greatest commandment is to love God.

37“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.

–Jesus, (Matthew 22:37-38, NIV ‘84)

• We most often express our love for God/Jesus through our worship.
• In the Luke passage above, we find Jesus riding into Jerusalem and the masses are worshiping Him!

In many ways, Jesus was being tempted in this moment. “How”, you say? Look at this passage of the temptation of Christ:

• We are told that Jesus was tempted in the desert after His baptism.
• But Satan continued tempting Jesus at every opportunity.
• In the two previous accounts above, Jesus remained focused on His mission.
• Jesus could not remain in the moment. He had come in part to establish a love relationship with us.  But now that the people were worshiping Him, He couldn’t allow Himself to get caught up in that.  He had another task to do.
• He had to continue His journey, His mission, His task.  Every step Jesus took from this point on was following a shadow . . . . . . of a cross.

Jesus was focused on His mission rather than His desires. He was living every step of His life on purpose! What about us? Do we plot out our mission each morning? Do we plan a moment or two of ministry into our lives each day? Or do we just coast and take life as it comes to us? I wonder, what would Jesus do?